Josh’s hand whips out from under my top and my skin instantly feels cool from his lack of contact. I turn to see who this Karen person is and spy a slim, beautiful brunette wandering into the pool room.
‘Fancy a game of pool?’ Brian asks Josh mischievously.
‘Let’s go.’
Josh hops down from his stool and he and Brian stride purposefully after Karen, leaving me standing there with Shane and Alex.
‘What are you drinking?’ Alex asks me.
‘Um, cider, please,’ I reply, confused and disheartened by what has just happened.
‘Is it Mount Barker High School you’re starting at?’ Shane asks.
‘Er, yeah.’ Like I really want to talk about this now.
‘I’ll have to introduce you to my sister,’ he says.
‘Really? Is that where she goes?’
‘Yep. She’s sixteen too, so you’ll be in the same year.’
‘That’d be good.’ I mean it. I would love to walk into a new school and know someone. ‘What’s her name?’
‘Tammy. She just broke up with her boyfriend so she’s not too happy right now. You might be able to cheer her up.’
‘A new year makes everything seem a bit better too, doesn’t it?’ I say.
‘As long as the Millennium Bug doesn’t wipe us all out,’ Alex comments.
‘Bloody Millennium bug,’ I mutter. ‘That’s all anyone’s talked about for years. I bet nothing actually happens.’
‘I’ll be stocking up on extra cans of baked beans just in case,’ Shane comments, and I smirk at him.
‘What are you doing for New Year?’ I ask. I’m starting to forget the fact that Josh deserted me. At least these two aren’t making me feel left out. To think I liked it when he touched me! My face prickles with embarrassment. I won’t let him get away with that again.
‘We’re all going into the city to a club,’ Alex replies. ‘You should get your ticket soon if you want to join us – otherwise they’ll sell out.’
My heart sinks. ‘I’ll probably get asked for ID again.’
‘Oh, yeah,’ Shane comments. ‘That was a bit of a bummer.’
‘Hmm. I suppose I’ll think of something.’
At eleven thirty, Josh finally reappears –sansKaren.
‘Shall we head off?’ he asks me.
‘Yeah, why not.’ I slide off the stool and stumble slightly. Shane reaches in to grab me.
‘It’s alright, I’ve got her.’
Josh’s steady arms take over from Shane, and as he grins down at me, I’m annoyed to find myself feeling flustered. Calling for a taxi doesn’t even occur to me.
‘No Mum and Dad tonight,’ Josh comments a couple of minutes into the drive. TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ is playing on the radio. He glances across at me and says meaningfully. ‘We’ve got the house all to ourselves . . .’
No, no, no, I tell myself sternly. He’s not sexy. Not sexy at all. He’s a wanker. And then I see the koala.
‘Shit!’ Josh exclaims as the weight of the animal thuds into our vehicle.
